Evaluation of the parenting styles and other social variables influencing behaviour of child in dental clinic

Abstract

Background: Parents play a major role in the physical and emotional development of children. The parenting style has influence over child behaviour in the dental office. Other factors like family type, presence of siblings as well as position of child in the family may also affect the behaviour of the child in the dental clinic. 

Objectives: To evaluate the parenting styles and other social variables influencing child dental behaviour.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-one healthy children aged 4-12 years were recruited by convenience sampling during their regular dental visits to Paediatric Dentistry Department, Kantipur Dental College from April to July 2021 after ethical clearance. Family and child demographic data were evaluated through a questionnaire. The accompanying parent completed the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ). The behaviour of the children was evaluated during the routine non-invasive dental procedure using Frankl behaviour rating scale. 

Results: All three parenting styles were identified among Nepalese parents, including authoritative (136, 90.06%), authoritarian (6, 3.97%), and permissive parenting styles (9, 5.96%). Most of the children showed positive behaviour (98, 64.9%). Significant associations were detected with age (p = 0.027) and gender (p = 0.015) and their behaviour, but not between parenting styles, type of family, number of siblings, and position of child in the family with behaviour.

Conclusion: The behaviour of the child was significantly associated with the age of the child, with younger children exhibiting more negative dental behaviour than older ones. However, other factors did not have association with child behaviour.